A human rights perspective on the treatment of individuals within the Forensic Unit

Abstract

With the increase in mentally ill offenders, the Forensic Unit has been put under further pressure to ensure that all the individuals within this institution are not placed under a level of hardship which goes beyond that which is expected with the deprivation of liberty. To do so it has to safeguard the individuals' freedom from inhuman and degrading treatment. This Term Paper sets out to explore whether the medical care and material conditions offered within this prison are in line with international human rights principles and ethical guidelines. To do so the CPT periodic reports as well as the Mental Health Annual Reports will be analysed against a backdrop of legislation and relevant jurisprudence.